by Sarah Williams
It’s that time of year again to get out in the garden. We have come up with a few helpful tips to help avoid those body aches and pain.
First things first, plan ahead. Rome was not built in a day, and neither will your garden. Set goals to ensure you don’t over do it in the garden, 20 minutes can easily turn into 2 hours gardening. Pick a section of the garden, pick a task, whatever you need to ensure a manageable gardening day.
Find your perfect gardening outfit… no really. Restrictive clothing can influence how we move. If you’re working overhead, make sure you can comfortably lift your arms. Planning on lots of kneeling, avoid tight fitting trousers.
Take a break! Treat gardening like a sport, warm up with smaller tasks then work up to the bigger tasks. Try and take breaks every 20- 30 minutes to allow your body some recovery time. A quick stretch out or tea break will go a long way.
Once you have picked your activity, have you got the right tools? The right tools are everything. Back spasm and repetitive strain injuries are common garden related injuries we see in the clinic. If you are using an electric tool, try a limit the time using it. Consider tools with grips and cushioning to save your wrists and hands. Wheelbarrows can help save you the trouble of lifting heavy items. Long handled gardening tools can dramatically help to reduce the risk of strain while gardening.
Keep checking your knees. If you are bending down, bend from your knees rather than your waist reduce strain in your lower back. If you are working low, invest in a kneeling pad or chair to take pressure off your knees. Growing plants on walls and raised beds can be a game changer, as you rarely need to bend over, and they look great!
Any garden related aches and pain? Give us a call on 01792 277211 or contact the clinic
